His Brother's Bride by Denise Hunter Read Free Book Online Page B

know what to tell him.”
    He closed the Bible on his lap and laced his fingers behind his head. “Not much to tell, really. We’re farmers, going back at least three generations.”
    He went on to tell her about his own parents. They’d been hard workers and plain folk who’d done well to raise a family and provide the necessities. When he mentioned his grandparents, Emily’s ears perked up.
    â€œDon’t know much about Grandpa Quincy ’cept he didn’t much like to work. My pa said he was gone a lot and would turn up out of the blue. One day he just disappeared, and they never did know what happened to him. Eventually, they figured he was dead and put a grave marker on the hill out back.”
    She’d seen it weeks ago and had wondered about it. “Do you remember him at all?”
    He shook his head. “I was young when he disappeared.”
    â€œYou must have missed having a grandfather.”
    He shrugged. “It was odd. Nobody liked to talk about Grandpa Quincy much. When I’d ask my pa about him, he’d get all snippy. Grandma didn’t cotton to talking about him either. I just figured her feelings had been hurt by his desertion. She had a hard life, trying to keep up the farm without his help.”
    â€œWhat do you suppose he did all those times he went away?” She glanced at his face.
    His eyes squinted as if he could see into the past. “Don’t know. I guess I figured he wandered around, liked his freedom.”
    He didn’t know. She could see the honesty on his face.
    Unlike me. A wave of shame washed over her. I’m doing this for Nana, though. I have no choice. She shifted in her seat and watched the material of her skirt slide off his leg.
    â€œHave you ever looked through his things? In the attic, I mean?”
    His gaze fixed on her, his brows hiked up beneath his dark bangs. “No. Grandma must’ve put some things up there, but I’ve never gone through the stuff.” His eyes narrowed, and their depths were laced with suspicion.
    She grew warm under his scrutiny and adjusted her skirts around her legs.
    â€œDid you find something up there?”
    â€œNo.” The word, too emphatic, popped out of her mouth before she could stop it. But at least that question she could answer honestly. “No, I just—I just wondered if you’d ever looked through his things and found some kind of explanation of what he’d done while he was away,” she finished lamely.
    â€œDon’t reckon there’s much to find. He was just a wanderer who didn’t much want to be tied down to family and work.”
    She nodded, not wanting to agree verbally. It would be too much like a lie, and she’d had her fill of dishonesty. She decided to turn in for the night. As much as she’d enjoyed her talk with Cade tonight, it didn’t take a genius to recognize the suspicion that lingered on his face. And she’d just as soon hit the hay before he started asking questions.

Seven
    â€œI found another one!” Adam called from behind the big oak in the backyard.
    â€œGood job, Adam. There are only two more marbles.” She wiped a dirt-coated hand across her sweaty forehead and caught Adam’s look. “Silly me,” she called. “I mean only two more nuggets of treasure.”
    She grabbed a weed and gave it a mighty yank, feeling satisfied when the whole thing came up, roots and all. The spring sun beat down on her dark hair with such intensity, she wished she hadn’t left her bonnet on the front porch.
    Adam dug through the dirt a stone’s throw away. Though she’d wanted to hide buttons for treasure, Adam had wanted to use his marbles. She hoped they didn’t lose any of them. He carried them everywhere he went; you could hear them jangling together in his pockets as he walked.
    â€œMy aggie!” Adam called.
    Emily saw him hold his favorite marble up in the air,